U.S. patent number 6,142,813 [Application Number 09/207,865] was granted by the patent office on 2000-11-07 for electrical connector assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Delphi Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Douglas Cummings, Michael De Angelis.
United States Patent |
6,142,813 |
Cummings , et al. |
November 7, 2000 |
Electrical connector assembly
Abstract
An electrical connector assembly includes a first connector
having an alignment member extending outwardly from the first
connector and having an aperture extending vertically therethrough.
The first connector also includes a locking mechanism disposed
within the alignment member. A second connector is interconnected
with the first connector and includes a connector receiving cavity
for cooperatively receiving the first connector. The second
connector includes an alignment channel extending vertically along
an inside surface of the connector receiving cavity for
cooperatively receiving the alignment member. The second connector
also includes a lock stop positioned within the alignment channel
for cooperatively engaging with the locking mechanism to lock the
first connector into the second connector.
Inventors: |
Cummings; Douglas (Cortland,
OH), De Angelis; Michael (Warren, OH) |
Assignee: |
Delphi Technologies, Inc.
(Troy, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
22772299 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/207,865 |
Filed: |
December 8, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/374;
439/357 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/62905 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/629 (20060101); H01R 013/64 () |
Field of
Search: |
;439/374,353,354,357,717,715,712 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
5487678 |
January 1996 |
Tsuji et al. |
5988511 |
November 1999 |
Schmidt et al. |
|
Primary Examiner: Bradley; Paula
Assistant Examiner: Ngandjui; Antoine
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jones; Richard A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical connector assembly comprising:
a first connector;
an alignment member extending outwardly from said first connector,
wherein said alignment member has an aperture extending vertically
therethrough;
a locking mechanism disposed within said alignment member;
a second connector interconnected with said first connector;
a connector receiving cavity within said second connector for
cooperatively receiving said first connector;
an alignment channel extending vertically along an inside surface
of said connector receiving cavity for cooperatively receiving said
alignment member;
a lock stop positioned within said alignment channel for
cooperatively engaging with said locking mechanism to lock said
first connector into said second connector.
2. An electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 1
including an alignment rib projecting outwardly from said alignment
member and extending vertically along an outer surface of said
alignment member.
3. An electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein
said locking mechanism includes a latch cantilevered by a
connecting portion to said alignment member and extending
vertically into said aperture within said alignment member.
4. An electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein
said lock stop has a wedge shape and projects from an inner surface
of said alignment channel relative to said latch.
5. An electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein
said alignment member includes a first wall, a second wall and a
third wall cooperatively interconnected to form a male dovetail
shape.
6. An electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein
said second wall includes a slot positioned along a lower end
having a generally rectangular shape.
7. An electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein
said alignment channel has a female dovetail shape corresponding in
shape and contour to said alignment member.
8. An electrical connector assembly comprising:
a first connector;
an alignment member extending outwardly from said first connector,
wherein said alignment member has an aperture extending vertically
therethrough;
a locking mechanism disposed within said alignment member;
a second connector interconnected with said first connector;
a connector receiving cavity within said second connector for
cooperatively receiving said first connector;
an alignment channel extending vertically along an inside surface
of said connector receiving cavity for cooperatively receiving said
alignment member;
a lock stop positioned within said alignment channel for
cooperatively engaging with said locking mechanism to lock said
first connector into said second connector;
an alignment rib projecting outwardly from said alignment member
and extending vertically along an outer surface of said alignment
member, and
an index portion integral with said alignment channel for
cooperatively receiving said alignment rib, wherein said index
portion is a notch extending vertically along an inner surface of
said alignment channel.
9. A nested electrical connector assembly comprising:
a first connector;
a second connector nested within said first connector;
said first connector having a first body with a first terminal
receiver portion positioned on a top surface of said first
body;
an alignment member having a male dovetail shape and extending
outwardly from a side of said first body, wherein said alignment
member has an aperture extending vertically therethrough;
a locking mechanism disposed within said alignment member, wherein
said locking mechanism includes a latch cantilevered by a
connecting portion to said alignment member and extending
vertically into the aperture within said alignment member;
an alignment rib integral with said alignment member;
said second connector having a second body with a second terminal
receiving portion positioned on a top surface of said second
body;
a connector receiving cavity disposed within said second body for
cooperatively receiving said first connector;
an alignment channel having a female dovetail shape extending
vertically along an inside surface of said connector receiving
cavity for cooperatively receiving said alignment member, wherein
said alignment channel includes an index portion for cooperatively
receiving said alignment rib; and
a lock stop positioned within said alignment channel for
cooperatively engaging with said locking mechanism to lock said
first connector to said second connector.
10. A nested electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 9
wherein said lock stop has a wedge shape projecting from an inner
surface of said alignment channel relative to said latch.
11. A nested electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 9
wherein said alignment member includes a first wall, a second wall
and a third wall cooperatively interconnected to form a male
dovetail shape.
12. A nested electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 11
wherein said second wall includes a slot positioned along a lower
end having a generally rectangular shape.
13. A nested electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 11
wherein said alignment rib projects outwardly and extends
vertically along an outer surface of either one of said first wall,
said second wall and said third wall.
14. A nested electrical connector comprising:
a first connector,
a second connector nested within said first connector;
said first connector having a first body with a first terminal
receiver portion positioned on a top surface of said first
body;
an alignment member having a male dovetail shape and extending
outwardly from a side of said first body, wherein said alignment
member has an aperture extending vertically therethrough;
a locking mechanism disposed within said alignment member, wherein
said locking mechanism includes a latch cantilevered by a
connecting portion to said alignment member and extending
vertically into the aperture within said alignment member;
an alignment rib integral with said alignment member;
said second connector having a second body with a second terminal
receiving portion positioned on a top surface of said second
body;
a connector receiving cavity disposed within said second body for
cooperatively receiving said first connector;
an alignment channel having a female dovetail shape extending
vertically along an inside surface of said connector receiving
cavity for cooperatively receiving said alignment member, wherein
said alignment channel includes an index portion for cooperatively
receiving said alignment rib;
a lock stop positioned within said alignment channel for
cooperatively engaging with said locking mechanism to lock said
first connector to said second connector;
said alignment member including a first wall, a second wall and a
third wall cooperatively interconnected to form the male dovetail
shape;
said alignment rib projecting outwardly and extending vertically
along an outer surface of either one of said first wall, said
second wall and said third wall, and
said index portion being a notch extending vertically along said
inner surface of said alignment channel.
15. A nested electrical connector assembly comprising:
a first connector;
a second connector nested within said first connector;
said first connector having a first body with a first terminal
receiver portion positioned on a top surface of said first
body;
an alignment member extending outwardly from a side of said first
body, wherein said alignment member includes a first wall, a second
wall and a third wall cooperatively interconnected to from a male
dovetail shape and having an aperture extending therebetween said
first wall, second wall and third wall;
a locking mechanism disposed within said alignment member, wherein
said locking mechanism includes a latch cantilevered by a
connecting portion to said second wall and extending vertically
into the aperture within said alignment member;
an alignment rib integral with said alignment member, wherein said
alignment rib projects outwardly and extends vertically along an
outer surface of either one of said first wall, said second wall
and said third wall;
said second connector having a second body with a second terminal
receiving portion positioned on a top surface of said second
body;
a connector receiving cavity disposed within said second body for
cooperatively receiving said first connector;
an alignment channel having a female dovetail shape corresponding
in shape and contour to the alignment member, extending vertically
along an inside surface of said connector receiving cavity, for
cooperatively receiving said alignment member;
an index portion extending vertically along an inner surface of
said alignment channel for cooperatively receiving said alignment
rib; and
a lock stop having a wedge shape projecting from an inner surface
of said alignment channel for cooperatively engaging with said
locking mechanism to lock said first connector to said second
connector.
16. A nested electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 15
wherein said second wall includes a slot positioned along a lower
end having a generally rectangular shape.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors
and, more particularly, to a nested electrical connector
assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electrical connector is frequently used in conjunction with an
electrical system on a vehicle and, in particular, a motor vehicle.
The electrical connector is commonly used to interconnect one
electrical component with another electrical component. In a
similar manner, electrical connectors from multiple electrical
components can be joined in an assembly, so that the assembly mates
with an electrical connector from yet another electrical component.
For example, in an in-line connector, two electrical connectors may
be interconnected, such that one connector is disposed or nested
within the other connector. Another common type of electrical
connector is a modular connector.
A characteristic of an in-line electrical connector is that
specific orientation is required to interconnect one connector with
another connector. Another characteristic is that the locking
portion of the electrical connector may be subject to damage from
snagging or impact. In the past, a nested electrical connector
assembly included a separate locking portion and alignment portion.
Thus, there is a need in the art to provide a nested electrical
connector assembly with an integral locking and indexing
feature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is an electrical connector
assembly. The electrical connector assembly includes a first
connector having an alignment member extending outwardly from the
first connector and having an aperture extending vertically
therethrough. The first connector also includes a locking mechanism
disposed within the alignment member. A second connector is
interconnected with the first connector and includes a connector
receiving cavity for cooperatively receiving the first connector.
The second connector includes an alignment channel extending
vertically along an inside surface of the connector receiving
cavity for cooperatively receiving the alignment member. The second
connector also includes a lock stop positioned within the alignment
channel for cooperatively engaging with the locking mechanism to
lock the first connector into the second connector.
One advantage of the present invention is that an electrical
connector assembly is provided that interconnects one electrical
connector with another electrical connector. Another advantage of
the present invention is that the electrical connector includes an
integral alignment and locking feature. Still another advantage of
the present invention is that the locking feature of the electrical
connector is protected.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be
readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood after
reading the subsequent description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top view of an electrical connector assembly
illustrating features of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a male electrical connector,
according to the present invention, of the electrical connector
assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a female electrical connector,
according to the present invention, of the electrical connector
assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view, according to the present invention,
of a first body portion nested within a second body portion for the
electrical connector assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, an electrical connector assembly 10 is
illustrated. It should be appreciated that, in this example, the
electrical connector assembly 10 is part of an electrical system on
a motor vehicle (not shown), and in particular an automotive
vehicle. The electrical connector assembly 10 includes a first
electrical connector 12 disposed or nested within a second
electrical connector 14. In this example, the first electrical
connector 12 is a female thirty-two (32) way in-line connector, and
the second electrical connector 14 is a female twenty (20) way
in-line connector. Advantageously, interconnecting the thirty-two
(32) way in-line connector with the twenty (20) way in-line
connector forms a fifty-two (52) way in-line connector that can be
mated with a common male fifty-two (52) way in-line connector.
Referring to FIG. 2, the first electrical connector 12 is
illustrated. The first electrical connector 12 is preferably a
one-piece molded plastic member. The first electrical connector 12
includes a first body 16 having a generally rectangular shape. The
first electrical connector 12 also includes a first terminal
receiver portion 18. Preferably, the first terminal receiver
portion 18 is positioned on a top surface of the first body 16. In
this example, the first terminal receiver portion 18 is a female
receiver including a plurality a cavities 20 contoured to receive
and align with a corresponding male terminal from a mating
connector (not shown) from another electrical device (not shown).
Also, in this example, the cavities 20 are arranged in a matrix of
four (4) by eight (8).
The first electrical connector 12 includes an alignment member 22
extending outwardly from a side of the first body 16. The alignment
member 22 is integral and molded as one piece with the body 16. The
alignment member 22 has a first wall 24 connected to a second wall
26, and a third wall 28 interconnecting the second wall 26 and
first body 16. Preferably, the first wall 24, second wall 26 and
third wall 28 form a male dovetail shape. Advantageously, an angle
30 between the first wall 24 and second wall 26, or second wall and
third wall 28 is approximately fourteen (14) degrees to form a
strong dovetail joint. The interior of the first wall 24, second
wall 26 and third wall 28 includes an aperture 32 extending
vertically therethrough. The second wall 26 includes a slot 34
positioned along a lower end and having a generally rectangular
shape, for a function to be described.
The alignment member 22 includes a locking mechanism 36 disposed
within the aperture 32 between the first wall 24, second wall 26
and third wall 28. The locking mechanism 36 includes a latch 38
cantilevered by a connecting portion 40 to the second wall 26 and
extending vertically into the aperture 32. The locking mechanism 36
is integral and formed as one piece with the second wall 26. It
should be appreciated that the connecting portion 40 allows the
latch 38 to be flexed or deflected, for a function to be
described.
The alignment member 22 also includes an alignment rib 42. The rib
42 projects outwardly and extends vertically along either one of
the first wall 24, the second wall 26 or the third wall 28, to
provide a positive alignment of the first electrical connector 12
with the second electrical connector 14 in a manner to be
described. Preferably, the rib 42 is positioned on either one of
the first wall 24 or third wall 28, along an end closest to the
first body 16. The rib 42 is integral and formed as one piece with
either one of the first wall 24, second wall 26 or third wall
28.
Referring to FIG. 3, a second electrical connector 14 is
illustrated. The second electrical connector 14 is preferably a
one-piece molded plastic member. The second electrical connector 14
includes a second body 50 having a generally rectangular shape. It
should be appreciated that, in this example, the second body 50 is
U-shaped. The second body 50 includes a connector receiving cavity
52 for receiving the first electrical connector 12. Preferably, the
connector receiving cavity 52 corresponds in shape and contour to
the first electrical connector 12, so that the first electrical
connector 14 is rigidly retained within the connector receiving
cavity 52 of the second electrical connector 14, in a manner to be
described.
The second electrical connector 14 also includes a second terminal
receiver portion (not shown), preferably positioned on a top
surface of the second body 50. Preferably, the second terminal
receiver portion is similar to the first terminal receiver portion
18, such as by including a plurality of cavities to receive and
align with a corresponding male terminal from a mating connector
from another electrical device. It should be appreciated that, in
this example, the second electrical connector 14 is a twenty (20)
way in-line connector as is known in the art.
The second electrical connector 14 includes an alignment channel
54. The alignment channel 54 extends vertically along an inside
surface of the connector receiving cavity 52, so that the alignment
channel 54 receives the alignment member 22 in a manner to be
described. The alignment channel 54 corresponds in shape and
contour to the alignment member 22. It should be appreciated that,
in this example, the alignment channel 54 forms a female dovetail
shape, as is known in the art.
The alignment channel 54 includes a lock stop 56 having a wedge
shape projecting vertically from an inner surface of the alignment
channel 54. The lock stop 56 is integral and formed as one-piece
with the second electrical connector 14. The lock stop 56 is
positioned relative to the latch 38 of the alignment member 22 in
order to retain the locking mechanism 36, in a manner to be
described.
The second electrical connector 14 includes an index portion 58
resembling a notch extending vertically along an inside surface of
the connector receiving cavity 52. The index portion 58 is
positioned relative to the alignment rib 42 of the first electrical
connector 12, so as to cooperatively receive the rib 42 in a manner
to be described.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the electrical connector assembly 10 is
illustrated in a nested position. In operation, the alignment
member 22 and alignment rib 42 of the first electrical connector 12
are aligned with the alignment channel 54 and index portion 58 of
the second electrical connector 14. A downward pressure is applied
to the first electrical connector 12, to slide the first electrical
connector 12 into the connector receiving cavity 52 of the second
electrical connector 14. The latch 38 of the locking mechanism 36
is deflected past the lock stop 56 until it assumes the final
assembly position of the latch 38 under the lock stop 56. The
position of the latch 38 under the lock stop 56 prevents the first
electrical connector 12 from disengaging with the second electrical
connector 14.
The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner.
It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is
intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of
limitation.
Many modifications and variations of the present invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the
scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be
practiced other than as specifically described.
* * * * *